How were you taught chess?

I was just at a friend's house tonight who have a little 2 year old boy who has nearly a full body cast for a broken femur.  I was thinking that if he were a bit older this would be the perfect time to learn chess, but alas he is still a bit too young.

It seems like a father-son thing, which is not to say my dad was the only one who taught me. When I was 7 I showed interest in chess and my dad showed me how to move the pieces and my mother would play an occasional game with me. My grandfather really spurred my interest, though when he gave me a "How to Play Better Chess", a cheap self-help category book written by Milton Hanauer that was a real gem in terms of tactics and basic strategy. He had clippings from the newspaper in there too, including an annotation for the "Game of the Century". I read that book so many times that the pages completely fell out and the binding unwound. 

In fact, I'm the reincarnation of that little dude they shoved inside "The Turk" back in the 18th century. 

I discovered this (and was instantly imparted with most of his chess savvy) during a therapeutic session with a hypnotist who unwittingly exposed my former incarnation while trying to break me of a glue-sniffing habit. 

(It was Elmer's glue.  I still think it smells pretty good.)

Let's not forget how good it tastes too.

I was taught by Anatoly Karpov.

And I am not joking!

O yes you are.

My father taught me the basics. He never was very good though, but definetely good enough for those days. I joined a chess club at a young age (probably around 7 or 8) and got gradually better. Eventually we moved and it stagnated.

Now, years later I started playing again with my friends, I joined this site and I'm finally back at the game.

I was taught the rules at about 5 but then just played it friendly. When I became 11 with no training I was beating everyone in my class during our free time, when I moved school I went to their chess club. I'm their best player there and now the school team captain. My parents entered me in tournaments which I either came second or first in. Since then I've payed attention to it and i'm on this site everyday.

KIESH2

It seems to be a dad thing, for a lot of us. My dad taught me when I was 7 or 8, I think. Later he showed me the 'Immortal' and the 'Evergreen', and a Muzio Gambit he'd lost in a simul against the then champion of Wales. Later on, it was that match in 1972 which got my dad and me interested again. And I taught my daughter in the mid 1990s, but she's never been much bothered about chess. Probably sensible of her  - think of all the time she's saving

I promise i was taught by Anatoly Karpov.

Well, why not? I know that a lot of chess grandmasters like nothing more than teach chess to new players. Some even go to schools to teach it to kids. Sounds like there might even be a fun story you're not telling us.

My best friend taught me the moves when we were about 11 or 12. I borrowed the only chess book from the school library. I don't remember what it was but it was very basic, just what I needed. Later I ordered "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess" from a school book club sale. (remember those?) We played in high school quite a bit but we were all pretty much self taught. After college I bought two different Fidelity Chess Challengers and a pile of books. I studied off-and-on during the 1980s but rarely played during the 1990s. I'm just starting to pick it up again. I've never been in a tournament nor officially rated. I think I topped out around 1800. I'm probably about 1500 right now. I'm trying to find time to play some online games here. So far I've only been able to spare a few minutes here and there.

I looked up CHESS in an encyclopedia

I was visited in a dream by the ghost of Bobby Fischer. He showed me the perfect moves in all situations and bestowed upon me all of the secrets of the game. Unfortunately as is the case with all dreams, it was impossible for me to remember all of it. I play here as a way to remember the secrets he taught me and to eventually become world chess champion.

I first learned the moves from my mother at age 3. but I didn't play seriosly untill ?I was a teenager. And even then it was only for 6 months. Just recently caught the chess bug back, Now at age 32...lol I'm trying to learn all I can. Maybe too late, maybe not.

Nice.  I can see a possible comic book series.

I learned when i was 6 didn't take it seriously until 10

I learned from my chess teacher.

My dear brothers taught me.

lol.. a great question to all..!!